Ctrip Launches 'No-Reason Personal Leave' Experiment: Up to 45 Extra Days Off Without Explanation

Chinese travel giant Ctrip has announced a management experiment offering employees up to 45 additional days of personal leave per year — no justification required. The policy is being trialed and represents one of the most generous leave policies in Chinese corporate history.

The Policy

• Extra leave: Up to 45 days per year beyond standard holidays
• No reason required: Employees don't need to explain why they need time off
• Format: "No-reason personal leave" (无理由事假)
• Status: Management experiment (experimental phase)

Context

Ctrip's CEO James Liang has been a pioneer in workplace experiments:

• Previous experiment: 3-day work week trial (reported mixed results)
• Philosophy: Data-driven management with willingness to test unconventional ideas
• Business logic: Better-rested employees may be more productive and creative

Why Now?

Several factors may be driving this:

• Workplace burnout — China's 996 culture has led to widespread exhaustion
• Talent competition — Attracting top talent requires differentiating benefits
• AI automation — As AI handles more routine work, human creative time becomes more valuable
• Public relations — Generates significant positive media coverage

Potential Impact

If successful, this could influence Chinese corporate culture:

• Challenge to 996 — Direct counter-argument to overwork culture
• Productivity research — Large-scale data on extended leave and performance
• Industry adoption — Other tech companies may follow if results are positive

Skepticism

Questions remain:

• Is this genuine or a PR move?
• How does "management experiment" differ from actual policy?
• Will employees feel comfortable actually using the leave?
• How does this affect career advancement and performance reviews?

Zhihu Reaction

The announcement sparked significant discussion on Zhihu, with users divided between admiration for the boldness and skepticism about implementation.